11.10.2010

I have long had a very short list of places I hope to see in my lifetime, and India has been at the top for years. But I kept putting that trip off, waiting for the right time--you need at least two weeks--and enough savings--this kind of travel can be costly.

Out of the blue, I recently got a call from an amazing person, Dominique Callimanopulos, who runs a travel company called Elevate Destinations. She focuses on travel that makes a difference to the countries visited--so she will organize expeditions to raise money for good causes, for instance, or, partner with community groups to do volunteer service work. She asked if I would consider taking a trip to India with a group in February, and sharing my Slow Love perspective during our travels. My response was swift: Of course! I no longer want to put off realizing my dreams.

Dominique Callimanopulos has organized a fascinating itinerary, which you can see by following the link onto her website. There are a limited number of places available, so I wanted to reach out to the Slow Love Life audience with news of the trip. It promises to be fascinating, fun and life-enhancing.

A portion of the proceeds--5% of the net costs of the trip--will go to support Rugmark, now called GoodWeave. I learned about this organization from the indomitable carpet designer--and one of my design industry heroines--Stephanie Odegard. GoodWeave works to end illegal child labor in the carpet industry--carpets made by cooperating companies that do not use child labor bear a label, either RugMark or GoodWeave, so that you know your carpet was not woven by exploited children.

Even if India is not part of your dream life, do take a look at Elevate Destinations' website. Callimanopulos has created an interesting new kind of travel company, and it may be useful in the fulfillment of your own dreams.

India was my most favorite trip of my life. It is colorful, inspiring and helped me to minimalize my life. Please be sure and float on a boat on the Ganges at sunset and sunrise. You can feel the souls around you as they burn on the pyres. Truly a trip for the soul and spirit.

When/if you have the time, do get hold of (I have the CD's and assume MP3's are available) excerpts from Noel Coward's comedy "Private Lives".

During the opening scene (in which two long-estranged, formerly engaged lovers meet each other on adjoining, Riviera hotel balconies while both are on their "honeymoons" with entirely new& different partners)?

She politely (if tersely)asks what he's been doing "these past few years", and he replies that he's been around the world, you know?

He mentions India...and Miss 1926 Flapper responds with "Oh, and how WAS it...the Burning Gajh...or Gadjets or whatever they call it? Did you see a Sacred Elephant?...they're milk-white, I believe, and very-VERY sweet. And did you see the Taj Mahal?...you'll have seen it in the Moonlight, of course! That's the way to SEE it! And it didn't look like a biscuit-box?!??? You know, I've always thought it might.... "

I have a LOT of Indian friends of a readily-indentifiable class.....and that's inevitably their favorite comment, so to speak, on traditional British and American tourists.

This tour of yours sounds as though it won't attract those folks. I bet you love it.

I love travel such a this! Ms. Callimanopulos has a brilliant concept!India has long been on my short list as well. I visited for a month, 3 years ago, and it was amazing! I hope to return some day.You will feel as if you have whiplash at the end of the day, after turning your head this way and that to see so much life going on, all around, all the time!

I smile for you - this is wonderful.Life has so many surprises for you.There are several places I would like to travel. I miss the ocean and maybe my son in Thailand. But do not know if I could leave the woods :)

One of my longtime(20 years or so) friends is the daughter of(broadly speaking and in regard to the initial Indian/Pakistani wars), India's General MacArthur. Not that I would have known enough to know ANYthing about all of this until she told me, years ago.

In any case, she told me, on several occasions when (having read "the Raj Quartet") I wanted to go and pay a visit to India, that I shouldn't ever go and visit Mother India.

Her exact words were "Your head would explode. You wouldn't last for FIVE MINUTES. It's far too MUCH for somone like you....your head would explode"

I told her that she'd just twice-mentioned my head's "exploding" in one conversational paragraph, and she said "Well, it WOULD!...you wouldn't last from the airport to the hotel!!!!"

Another friend (they don't know each other)said pretty-much the same thing last year when I said I could visit her in Jakarta.

Oh this sounds so delightful. I have always wanted to go to India too.

Dominique I recently read about Slow Food which sounds like a great organization that might interest you and your readers as well. Slow Food is a non profit that was formed to counter the rise of fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world. Anyway I thought I'd pass it along to you. Their site is www.slowfood.com.

Loved seeing this post on your blog. I am leaving for India tomorrow -- taking my daughters who are in their twenties to see where I was born and where I grew up as the daughter of missionaries. We attending a reunion of my classmates at a wonderful school in the mountains (Woodstock) then visiting some of the iconic sights. It is in so many ways a journey home.

Hi Dominique...I am a frequent reader, but first time commenter. I live in Providence, RI and am also a writer, so I have always enjoyed reading your blog.

My husband is Indian and we have traveled to India twice this year already. It is the most beautiful, most fascinating place on earth. Because my husband lived there for many years, he knows all the best places to visit...the ones that are less touristy and a bit off the beaten path.

I would love to share some of our favorites with you...if you are interested!

I'm thrilled for you! This seems tailor-made for you, and I can't wait to see your posts and to read your observations. India is not an easy place to visit, and not all have opportunities to travel there, so many of us armchair travelers anxiously await your trip!

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The rest of the week kept them frequently busy as they made an assortment of cookies and took some of them to a local nursing home, where a cluster of people from Grandma's church sing Christmas carols to the aged.

Celestron Handheld Digital Microscope - Last but not least is this combo of digital camera and microscope power. I imagined seeing her as she prepared their Christmas meal.

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SLOW LOVE means engaging with the world in a considered, compassionate way, appreciating the miraculous beauty of everyday moments, and celebrating the interconnected nature of life. SLOW LOVE LIFE is a place to share ways to practice daily mindfulness in the midst of our busy, productive days.

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